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How can I manage licensing for Umbraco Forms, including legacy .lic files and subscription keys?

Written by Joana Knobbe
Updated over a week ago

Keywords: Licensing, Forms, Legacy .lic Files, Subscription Keys

Licensing in Umbraco Forms can involve both legacy .lic files and newer subscription-based license keys. This article provides guidance on managing these licensing options, including fallback mechanisms and compatibility considerations.

Overview of Licensing Options

Umbraco Forms supports two primary licensing methods:

  1. Legacy .lic Files: These are older license files used in previous versions of Umbraco Forms.

  2. Subscription License Keys: These are newer, appsettings-based keys introduced in recent versions for enhanced flexibility and management.

Using Legacy .lic Files

If the appsettings-based subscription license key is not functioning as expected, you can use a legacy .lic file as a fallback. Follow these steps:

  1. Place the legacy .lic file in the designated licensing folder of your application.

  2. Remove the appsettings-based license key from your configuration to avoid conflicts.

  3. Restart the application to ensure the legacy license is applied.

This approach ensures that your application remains licensed and operational even if issues arise with the subscription key.

Subscription License Key Management

When upgrading to a newer version of Umbraco Forms, you may need to generate a new subscription license key. It is important to note that:

  • Generating a new subscription key does not invalidate existing legacy .lic files.

  • Older environments using legacy .lic files can continue to operate without disruption while you deploy the upgrade.

This compatibility ensures a smooth transition between licensing systems and minimizes downtime.

Compatibility Between Legacy and New Licensing Systems

Umbraco Forms is designed to support both legacy and subscription-based licensing systems concurrently. This dual compatibility allows you to:

  • Maintain older environments with legacy .lic files.

  • Transition to subscription keys for newer environments without affecting existing setups.

By understanding and leveraging these options, you can effectively manage licensing across different versions and scenarios.


For further assistance or specific licensing inquiries, please request to talk to a "human."

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